Arlington, WA
Siding Replacement in Arlington, WA
Siding replacement in Arlington, WA usually means working on a house built after 1980. Census data puts the median build year at 1996, and 41% of the city’s homes date from 1980 to 1999. Much of the siding those houses were built with is still on the walls, and a lot of it is now due for replacement. This page covers what we typically find on Arlington walls, which replacement siding fits local conditions, and the warning signs to watch for on your own house.
What’s on Arlington homes now
The siding on your house today depends mostly on when it was built:
- 1980 to 1999. Hardboard and composite panels are the usual finding. Subdivisions from this period include The Woodlands (151 homes, median year built 1985), Gleneagle B (1993), and Highland View Estates, River Crest Estates and High Clover Park (all 1997).
- 2000 or later (37% of homes). These went up with fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl, and that first layer is now coming due for a repaint or a full replacement.
- 1950 to 1979 (15%). Expect cedar, T1-11 plywood panels or asbestos-cement shingles. Pony Estates, with a median build year of 1968, is one neighborhood from this period. Asbestos-cement shingles may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal.
- Before 1950 (7%). Original wood lap siding is likely, and older paint layers may contain lead.
Most of the work is on single-family houses. Census data shows 61% of Arlington’s housing is detached, 14% is attached homes such as townhouses, and 5% is mobile homes. Snohomish County assessor records count 4,488 detached single-family homes in the city. If yours is one of them, a full re-side covers every wall, so the material you pick shapes both the cost and the look of the whole house.
Choosing siding for Arlington’s conditions
We usually recommend three siding types here, plus stone accents. The right choice for your house is settled during the free in-home consultation, but each one lines up with a different Arlington situation.
Vinyl when value and wall area drive the decision. Census figures place Arlington’s median home value about 17% below the Snohomish County median. Owners in that position tend to want a durable, cost-effective material, and vinyl is the least expensive of the three and the most versatile. On a detached house, where every wall gets new siding, that difference adds up.
Evergreen Shield Siding System when heating cost is the concern. About 44% of Arlington homes heat with electricity, supplied by Snohomish County PUD. Insulated siding pays back more where heating is costly, which makes this insulated composite the stronger fit for an all-electric house.
Metal for a premium long-term upgrade. Metal and the Evergreen Shield Siding System are the two premium options for owners planning a long-term exterior. Arlington’s wildfire rating is Low, at the 57th percentile statewide, so fire resistance is a bonus here rather than the reason to choose either one.
Stacked stone or stone veneer as an accent. Stone works on an entry, a column or a wainscot along the base of the wall. It adds curb appeal and a durable base course without cladding the whole house.
Unlike the cedar or T1-11 still found on some older Arlington houses, none of these three will rot. For the range of looks, see our recent projects: an older Arlington home finished in vertical board and batten with shake-style accent sections, and a rural property where the owners chose a teal-blue finish to complement the open green fields around it.
Evergreen Shield Siding System in Arlington
The Evergreen Shield Siding System is our exclusive composite siding, designed for the Pacific Northwest climate. Two of its facts matter most for Arlington homes.
First, insulation. An insulating graphite membrane gives the panels a thermal resistance of R-2.0. Standard vinyl siding rates R-0.61. Census data shows 62% of Arlington homes are owner-occupied, and for owners who plan to stay and heat with electricity, that added insulation around the walls is the main reason to choose it.
Second, moisture. The composite panels are built for water resistance through long wet seasons and resist mold and mildew in humid weather.
Signs your siding needs replacing
Look for problems that match your home’s age:
- Hardboard or LP lap siding from the 1980s and 1990s. Check the bottom edge of each board, where water collects. Swelling, flaking, soft spots or a bottom edge that has started to crumble mean moisture has gotten into the core, and paint will not fix it.
- Builder-grade vinyl from the 2000s. Look for cracked or warped panels, loose pieces and faded color.
- Fiber cement from the same years. Peeling or chalky paint means the first repaint is due, which is a good point to compare the cost of repainting with replacing.
- Any age. Mold, mildew or stains on the wall inside, near windows and corners, can point to water getting behind the siding.
Get a free siding consultation in Arlington
Schedule a free in-home consultation through our contact page or call 206-430-1927. We back our installations with a lifetime warranty, offer discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders, and have financing available. For roofing, windows and decks too, see our Arlington home exterior services.
Arlington siding FAQ
Which siding type suits Arlington's climate best?
Any of the three siding types we usually recommend will handle Arlington's weather, because vinyl, metal and the Evergreen Shield Siding System are not wood and will not rot. The choice comes down to your house and budget. Arlington's wildfire rating is Low, at the 57th percentile statewide, so cost, heating and appearance usually decide it rather than fire rating. We help you weigh those during the free in-home consultation.
What should I expect when replacing 1980s or 1990s siding in Arlington?
Expect to find composite lap siding of that era, sometimes LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure. Census data shows 41% of Arlington homes were built from 1980 to 1999, the largest single era of housing in the city. The old boards come off and the new siding goes on in its place, chosen from vinyl, metal or the Evergreen Shield Siding System. Removal details for your walls are covered during the free in-home consultation.
My Arlington home was built after 2000. Is it too new for new siding?
Not necessarily. Census data shows 37% of Arlington homes were built in 2000 or later, and many have builder-grade vinyl or fiber cement that is now reaching its first repaint or replacement. If your vinyl is cracked or faded, or the paint on fiber cement is failing, replacing the siding can make more sense than another round of repairs. A free in-home consultation will show which applies to your house.
Do older Arlington homes need any testing before the siding comes off?
Sometimes. Homes built from 1950 to 1979, about 15% of Arlington's housing and including neighborhoods like Pony Estates, may have asbestos-cement shingle siding. It may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal. On the 7% of homes built before 1950, older paint layers may contain lead. Raise it during the free in-home consultation so testing is planned before any work is scheduled.
Is vinyl siding a good choice for a whole Arlington house?
Often, yes. Vinyl is the most versatile and least expensive of the siding types we usually recommend, which matters when every wall of a detached house is being re-sided. Census data places Arlington's median home value about 17% below the Snohomish County median, and many owners here want a durable, cost-effective material for that reason. Discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders, plus financing, can also help with the budget.
